Bryant, Childs score 15, BYU turns back Portland 72-60

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Elijah Bryant and Yoeli Childs scored 15 points apiece and Brigham Young defeated Portland 72-60 on Thursday night.

Dalton Nixon added 14 points for the Cougars (22-8, 11-6 West Coast Conference) and Childs had 13 rebounds for his 14th double-double. The third-place Cougars close the regular season at home on Saturday against league-leader and No. 6 ranked Gonzaga.

Marcus Shaver Jr. scored 21 points for the Pilots (10-20, 4-13), who dropped their fifth straight.

Childs had six points as the Cougars scored eight straight points and Bryant had a 3-point play to end what turned into a 13-2 run for a 24-13 lead midway through the first half. Childs had 15 points as the Cougars led 42-28 at the break.

Portland scored nine straight to get within nine with 12:07 to go but got no closer. A Shaver trey at the 5:21 mark was the last time the Pilots trailed by single digits.